GOP blocks Senate bill curbing gender pay gap

ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 10, 2014 12:01 AM

FILE - This Aug. 1, 2013 file photo shows Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., flanked by Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill., left, and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., speaking on Capitol Hill in Washington. Senate Republicans derailed a Democratic bill Wednesday curbing paycheck discrimination against women, an effort that even in defeat Democrats hoped would pay political dividends in this fall's congressional elections. Wednesday's vote was 53-44 to halt GOP tactics aimed at derailing the legislation, but that fell six short of the 60 Democrats needed to prevail. Mikulski stood up after the vote and said supporters were disappointed but that they would fight on. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)AP

ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 10, 2014 12:01 AM

WASHINGTON -- Republicans blocked a Senate bill Wednesday aimed at narrowing the pay gap between men and women, an election-year ritual that Democrats hope will help spur women to back them in this fall's congressional elections.

GOP lawmakers said the measure could hinder employers from granting raises, or permitting flexible hours in exchange for lower pay, for fear of costly lawsuits. For Democrats, the bill was the latest stressing income-fairness they are pushing this campaign season, a procession that includes proposals to extend jobless benefits, boost the minimum wage and help students and families afford college loans.

"When I hear all these phony reasons, some are mean and some are meaningless, I do get emotional," Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., the bill's sponsor, said of arguments against the legislation. "I get angry. I get outraged. I get volcanic."

Republicans concentrated on the economic damage they said the gender equity bill would inflict, consistent with their campaign focus on an economy that is still recovering from a severe recession. They were backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups.

"At a time when the Obama economy is already hurting women so much, this legislation would double down on job loss -- all while lining the pockets of trial lawyers," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "In other words, it's just another Democrat idea that threatens to hurt the very people it claims to help."

Democrats pushed the same legislation the past two election years, 2012 and 2010, only to see Senate Republicans scuttle the measures.

Mikulski's bill is aimed at tightening the 1963 law that made it illegal to pay women less than men for comparable jobs because of their gender.

It would shrink the loopholes employers can cite to justify such discrepancies and prevent them from punishing workers who share salary information. It would also make class-action suits about paycheck unfairness easier and allow workers to seek punitive and compensatory damages.

Wednesday's vote was 53-44 for debating the legislation -- seven fewer than Democrats needed to keep the bill moving forward. Every voting Republican was against continuing work on the measure.

Democrats have promised to force Republicans to vote again on the issue before November.

"This won't be the last time they have to go home to their constituents and explain that they don't think this is a worthy issue," said Sen. Patty Murray, of Washington, a member of the Democratic leadership.